Local Hikes, Walks & Scenery

Near Keswick, Lake District

The Lake District offers beautiful landscaping and when you come to stay in one of our self-catering cottages in the Lake District, you will get the chance to enjoy one of many mesmerising walks in the local area. So don’t forget to bring your hiking shoes, warm clothes and most importantly your camera to capture every breathtaking moment.

The different walks listed offer a great variety and vary in length, time and difficulty, but at the end of the day it is initially your choice how far and how long you would like to walk during your holiday! It is always good to take a map or GPS with you on your little adventures so nobody can get lost!

To enjoy the local landmarks and admire the beautiful scenery that the Lake District has to offer there are number of routes that potential walkers and hikers can take, ranging from easy to extreme difficulty.

Below are some of the most common walks near Keswick with downloads provided by the National Park. Alternatively, The Lake District National Park has voluntary rangers who provide free or low-cost guided walks throughout the year with many starting from Keswick – have fun!

The Newlands Round

The Newlands Round, also known to be a classic horseshoe walk, is one of Alfred Wainwright’s favourite walks and must probably be one of the greatest day walks in the Lake District. This is also very near to the Causey Pike walk and starts from Little Town which is surrounded by lovely landscaping and greens. It is possibly one of the most scenic walks in the Lake District area best enjoyed during the summer and the most amazing views can be seen of the Skiddaw and Blencathra massifs in the north east. The walk has several ascents and descents but the Newlands valley are one of the prettiest and make the walk worth it. From Little Town you make your way to Robinsons over to Hindscath and Dale Head followed by one of the best Lakeland walks provided by the ridges of High Spy and Maiden Moor.Distance: 8.5 - 8.8 milesApproximate Time: 5 - 6.5 hoursDifficulty: Very Hard with strenuous climbs and descents including one easy scramble from RobinsonTo Bring: Warm and waterproof clothes, hiking shoes, map or GPS tracker, camera, lot of water and food

Derwent Walk

A long, leisurely stroll along the perimeter of Derwentwater lake. This a popular walk – great for beginners and for wildlife lovers - with breathtaking views of the lake as well as visiting sites containing animals and plants local to the area. Distance: 13 km (8.1 miles) Approximate Time: 5-6 hours Difficulty: Easy View Walk (PDF)

Friar’s Crag and Castlehead Walk

A short walk that begins with an easy route through Friar’s Crag leading to moderate difficulty when heading to Castleford. Follow this route for some spectacular views across Derwentwater and learn about the conservation of the area. Venture through Friar’s Crag followed with a walk underneath the cliffs of Walla Crag and a pathway alongside the edge of the Great Wood where you finally end on the summit of Castlehead before setting off back to Keswick again. Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles) Approximate Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy-Moderate View Walk (PDF)

Latrigg Walk

A moderately difficult walk with fine views of the North East of Keswick and the fells. This is best described as a long, gradual climb to the top of Latrigg which offers breathtaking views of Keswick and Derwenter, included in the journey are places with historical value belonging to the Cumbrian town. Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles) Approximate Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate View Walk (PDF)

The Coledale Round

The Coledale Round walk is an amazing walk from Braithwaite and is surrounded by some of the most significant fells in the area. Early on Grisedale Pike will offer great panoramic views and moving onto Hobcarton Crag and Hopegill Head which will offer great views going forward and looking back. If you are lucky, you can see Scotland from Hopegill Head on a clear day amongst other places. The point of Eel Crag (Crag Hill) will offer superb views especially looking back where Skiddaw and Blencathra dominate the beautiful scenery. The walk will lead to the summit of Barrow which offers great views of the Newlands Valley, Keswick and Derwentwater laid out below.

Should you find this walk to be too hard then there are several escape routes you can take, firstly descending from Coledale House, secondly omitting Grasmoor heading straight to Wandope and lastly to descend from the col between Sail and Scar Crags to barrow Door and all ending back at Braithwaite.Distance: 9-11 milesApproximate Time: 6-7.5 hoursDifficulty: Can be strenuous especially during the summerTo Bring: Warm and waterproof clothes, hiking shoes, map or GPS tracker, camera, lot of water and food

Melbreak from Loweswater

This walk starts off from Loweswater and a great starting point to the day is Wainwright’s famous signpost. You would then make your way to the base of Melbreak and up to the North Top of Melbreak with a view of the Lorton Valley followed by views of Crummock Water with Whiteside, Hopegill Head and Grasmoor behind it. There is no set route for this walk but good first stops are the North and South Top of Melbreak, followed by Scale Knott, Mosedale and Hen Comb. If you go across the valley you can find the beautiful and impressive Scale Force waterfalls, the highest single drop of Lakeland Falls.Distance: 6 – 7 milesApproximate Time: 3.5 – 4.5 hoursDifficulty: Can be steep and rockyTo Bring: Warm and waterproof clothes, hiking shoes, map or GPS tracker, camera, lot of water and food

The High Stile Range

The High Stile range walk is good to start and finish at the Bridge Inn at Buttermere and end off with a pint of Black Sheep or glass of cool wine. Depending on what route you choose to take, the time taking to walk the routes may vary. However, if you head to the shores of Buttermere you can get stunning views of Buttermere. When you walk the ascent to Bleaberry Tarn you also get great views of Buttermere and Fleetwith Pike over the water and even better views of Grasmoor. As you reach Red Pike you can enjoy a great view of Melbreak. Following the ridge you will reach High Stile and High Crag making your way to the main summits such as the Great Borne and back to Buttermere.Total distance: 7 - 12 milesApproximate Time: 6 – 10 hoursDifficulty: very hard and strenuousTo Bring: warm and waterproof clothes, hiking shoes, map or GPS tracker, camera, lot of water and food

Ladyside Pike from Thackthwaite

Ladyside Pike is one of the Lakes best kept secrets, with a great ridge on the way up and then you can play around all day on the tops of Whiteside and Grasmoor. For reasons unknown, Ladyside Pike did not make it in the top fells of Wainwright’s top fells, but is great to climb on or to enjoy the view of it from other top spots. You can choose to view Ladyside from Thackthwaite by starting at Loweswater, through to Darling Fell and Low Fell, followed by Thackthwaite and back at Loweswater. This way you can not only enjoy the scenic of Ladyside Pike but some of the most magnificent scenic areas of the Lake District. Alternatively, you can choose any of the routes that go over Ladyside Pike and pass through Hopegill Head and Hobcarton Crag.Total distance: 8 milesApproximate Time: 4.5 - 5 hoursDifficulty: several ascents and descents To Bring: warm and waterproof clothes, hiking shoes, map or GPS tracker, camera, lot of water and food

Pillar Rock from Ennerdale

The climb leading to Pillar Rock, set just above Black Sail Pass, is a Lakeland classic. A 6 am start will get you back to Buttermere for lunch and some more Black Sheep. Pillar saw the birth of rock climbing in the lakes when a man first climbed it back in 1826. Pillar Rock is located between the valleys of Ennerdale and Wasdale, so can be reached from either place as well as from Buttermere. From the Ennerdale waters you can see the tip of Pillar Rock but on top of it you will be able to enjoy breathtaking views. Alternatively, you can follow a path that climbs up from the middle reaches of Ennerdale valley and pass one of the most impressive but unnamed waterfalls. Total distance: 8 miles Approximate Time: 4.5 - 5 hours Difficulty: very strenuous and hard To Bring: warm and waterproof clothes, climbing shoes, map or GPS tracker, camera, lot of water and food, ropes and protection

Crummock Water

The head of Crummock Water from Thackthwaite on a summers’ day offers a stunning view. There are many routes you can choose, but starting in Thackthwaite, you can make your way towards the top of Low Fell which will offer a superb view of Crummock Water as well as Buttermere and will also provide views of the Grasmoor, Whiteside and Hopegill Head mountains. After Low Fell you can walk back towards Fellborrow and at the summit enjoy views of Whiteside and Grasmoor. Total distance: 4.2 miles Approximate Time: 2 – 3 hours Difficulty: several ascents and descents To Bring: warm and waterproof clothes, hiking shoes, map or GPS tracker, camera, lot of water and food